One of the more inspiring parts of owning my former company, Louisburg Gardens, was my association with The Boston Flower Exchange.  I made it a point each week to walk through the flower market, take in the gorgeous colors, scents and see the many friends I had come to know over the years.

http://www.thebostonflowerexchange.com/

The Exchange is an enormous warehouse housing a consortium of independant floral suppliers.  It sells products at wholesale prices to registered businesses which operate in the floral and landscaping industries.

I gained much inspiration from the plethora of available products. The variety of plants and flowers was amazing. The eccentric wares were intriguing. I kept a constant eye out for anything unique.

One day I came across some eclectic, funky and remarkable branches. They were called  Manzanita.

According to Wikipedia,

“Manzanita is a common name for many species of the genus Arctostaphylos. They are evergreen shrubs or small trees present in the chaparral biome of western North America….They are characterized by smooth, orange or red bark and stiff, twisting branches.”

According to ME? They are an example of raw beauty.

I bought a few branches one day. I admired them for about a week. I mused on what to do with them.

My imagination did its job.

Here they are in my Boston dining room

I secured screws at several points on the branches in order to attach them. I fastened eye hooks to the ceiling and then suspended the Manzanita with fishing line by wrapping it around the center at several points.

I ended up with a beautiful sculpture.

• Was it “far out?” Yup.
• Was it fun? Oh, yes.
• Did anyone comment on it? Without a doubt.

Which is why I carried it to my new home and suspended it from my porch ceiling.

 

Try taking something from nature, something pure and non-descript and integrate it into a fabuluous and funky accent.

Manzanita branches are available online and they are reasonably priced. They are available in many sizes and shapes. Paint them, hang them. put them in a vase, bedazzle them.

Have fun.

Sparkle On, Friends.